woensdag 20 juni 2012

25. Looking for crime novel clues in La Stazione Centrale!

We're almost there!

Years ago, I was in Rome at a
seminar dedicated to crime novels. At that seminar, some lady held a whole
speech about the huge importance of the “non-lieu”, the “not-place” in crime
novels. Not-places are places which do exist but are never taken or occupied by
someone. That’s to say, places which you will pass or even stands in for a
while but in which you would never stay or install yourself for a long time.
Train stations or airports or the lobby of a hotel are good examples of this
kind of crossing points. Places which are owned by everyone but at the same
time also be no one. This lady told her crime novel loving audience that no
crime novel could exist without some non-place playing a crucial part in it. If
the non-place wasn’t used as the ideal location for the murder itself, it would
at least serve as a meeting point for shady characters to exchange information
or for the victim to leave a precious indication on who would have killed him. Thinking
back of that interesting afternoon in Rome, I walked today to the Central
Station of Milan. My guide book described the building as “definitely worth a
visit” and I have to say that I agree. Gorgeous statues, hall ways, stair
cases, galeries and mosaics turned la Stazione Centrale definitely into the
most beautiful way to enter Milan (right from a train that is). For one hour, I
couldn’t stop myself taking one picture after the other until some very brawny
looking security people started to give me a real dirty look. When I got one of
them asking me in a sharp-toned way what I was actually doing, I found myself
answering before I knew it that I was examining this non-lieu to find some
clues to the solution of my next Milanese crime novel. Since my answer didn’t
sound very credible (or at least comprehensible), I took advantage of the
perplexed reaction of the security guy to abscond from the Station. I had
collected enough information anyways to know who would soon kill him in “Murder
on the Milano Express...”!

2 opmerkingen:

When can we expect the book, "Murder on the Milan Express" to be coming out? I can hardly wait to read it. It will be very special because I have been to la Stazione Centrale in Milan many times and I'm eager to see just where the clue is found.Breathlessly waitin,

About me

I am a Belgian Master in Gastronomy and I organize cultural and culinary trips and tours in Piedmont. Whether you're looking for someone to give you a general tour in Turin or whether you would love to visit a coffee roastery or winery or just take an Italian cooking class, I can organize it for you. Just contact me and let me know what it is you're looking for and how I can help to make your trip to Piedmont unforgettable!